Britain’s Film and TV by region: East of England
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From Cambridge’s historic colleges to the waterways of the Broads, Suffolk’s historic towns, Norfolk’s windmills and Lincolnshire’s grand estates, the East of England spans a varied landscape. Water, wind and a rich heritage have shaped the region. It’s also a major star in Britain’s contemporary culture, with cutting-edge arts centres, museums and historic houses that star in major film and TV productions, from Harry Potter to The Crown.
Stop 1: Cambridge
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Clients can embark on a cultural treasure hunt at the The Fitzwilliam Museum. Founded in 1816, its neoclassical façade guards galleries brimming with gleaming Egyptian antiquities, towering classical sculptures, Renaissance masterpieces and intricate decorative arts. Hunt for Titian’s brushstrokes, J.M.W. Turner’s skies and ancient, illuminated manuscripts. Free to enter, the museum also hosts ticketed exhibitions and temporary displays alongside its permanent collection.
Cambridge Distillery
Step behind the scenes at one of the world’s most celebrated gin producers. Founded in 2012, Cambridge Distillery has won multiple gold medals at the World Gin Awards for creations including its Japanese Gin, Watenshi, and Cambridge Dry. With two sites – a city-centre distillery and a larger base in Grantchester – clients can explore immersive gin experiences like the Cambridge Gin Laboratory or try their hand at blending sessions, crafting their own signature spirit. The distillery also welcomes bookings for large groups.
Cambridge Junction
For cutting-edge contemporary culture, clients should head to Cambridge Junction in the south-west of the city. Housed in a former Victorian tram depot, this long-established arts venue has been championing new theatre, contemporary dance, stand-up comedy and live music for more than 30 years. Expect everything from emerging talent to internationally touring acts, alongside film screenings, talks and experimental performances.
Cambridge Arts Theatre
Experience the creative energy of live performances at Cambridge Arts Theatre, just steps from the colleges. Opened in 1936, this elegant grade II listed Art Deco theatre hosts a wide-ranging programme, from foot-stomping musicals and contemporary drama to classic Shakespeare. The main auditorium was extensively refurbished in 2025, with further works planned to enhance the space.
Cambridge University Botanic Gardens
Set in 40 acres of picturesque green space, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden (open every day) is a collection of more than 8,000 plant species from around the world. The Glasshouse Range showcases tropical, Mediterranean and arid climates, while the Rock Garden offers a display of alpine plants. Visitors can stroll through the Woodland Garden, the Wildlife Garden, and the Plant Families Garden, which organises plants according to their botanical relationships. The gardens offer guided tours taking in the seasonal highlights of the garden, as well as private tours that can be tailored for groups.
Ely Cathedral, Ely
A 20-minute train ride from Cambridge,Ely Cathedral has been a showstopper on and off-screen, having doubled for Westminster Abbey in The Crown and The King’s Speech. Step inside to admire the Norman nave, medieval wall paintings and soaring ceiling. Or climb the 170-steps of the spiral staircase up to the Octagon Tower on a guided tour to explore this masterpiece of medieval engineering.
Getting around
Getting around: Cambridge is easy to reach from London. Frequent trains run from King’s Cross and Liverpool Street, taking around 50 to 60 minutes. By car, it’s just less than a two-hour drive. The centre of Cambridge is quite compact, and most locations are within easy walking distance of each other. To move on to Suffolk, trains run regularly to Bury St Edmunds (taking around one hour), while driving takes roughly one hour and 15 minutes. Ely is a 20-minute train ride from Cambridge.
More information for the travel trade:
Visit East of England: https://www.visiteastofengland.com/travel-trade
Stop 2: Suffolk
Lavenham
There’s something magical about the beautifully preserved medieval village of Lavenham in central Suffolk. With more than 300 listed buildings, it doubled as Godric’s Hollow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. De Vere House, once home to a powerful wool merchant family and now a guest house, starred as Harry’s birthplace, while the Lavenham Guildhall, managed by the National Trust, tells the story of the village’s past amid wonky timber-framed streets, tearooms and independent shops.
Bury St Edmunds
Step into a Charles Dickens novel in Bury St Edmunds – a key filming location for The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019) starring Dev Patel, and home of St Edmund, the original patron saint of England. Alongside its grand Georgian streets, medieval abbey ruins and a market square trading since Saxon times, the town proudly wears its crown as Suffolk’s foodie capital, with award-winning restaurants, artisan producers and lively markets. Clients can peruse independent shops and stop off in historic pubs, before exploring the Abbey Gardens.
Somerleyton Hall
Invite clients to spend a royal afternoon at Somerleyton Hall near the Norfolk border. Fans of The Crown might recognise the sweeping staircases, richly decorated state rooms and opulent interiors from season four of the Netflix hit series, where the grand Jacobean manor doubled as royal residence, Sandringham. Step outside and the drama continues, as 12 acres of grounds house formal walled gardens, the ornate Nesfield Parterre – restored in the early 2010s – and a yew hedge maze, which has challenged visitors since 1846.
The Unruly Pig
After a day of film location spotting, indulge at The Unruly Pig (book well in advance to secure a table). Situated near Woodbridge, this acclaimed gastropub has earned awards for its inventive, locally sourced menus focusing on British food with an Italian influence. Voted in the top two at the UK Top 50 Gastropub Awards every year since 2022, its menus change seasonally and according to what comes in fresh from the market each day. Expect dishes like mallard wellington with dripping potatoes, celeriac, creamed sprouts and walnut or sirloin steak tagliata with parmesan chips, burnt onion and bone marrow.
Giffords Hall Vineyard
Between stops, clients can take in Suffolk’s countryside at a slower pace with a tour of Giffords Hall Vineyard (Thursdays to Saturdays from March, for up to eight people). Set amid farmland between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, this family-run vineyard produces Independent English Wine Awards-winning still and sparkling wines. During the tour, clients can stroll among the vines and learn about the influence of the local climate on the wine’s flavour. The tour ends with a tutored wine tasting of four Giffords Hall wines, accompanied by nibbles.
Framlingham Castle
A 12th-century castle managed by English Heritage, Framlingham rises majestically above its 10.5-metre-tall curtain walls. Home to the Dukes of Norfolk for over 400 years, this was where Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England in 1553. One of England’s finest baronial fortresses, clients can walk the walls for panoramic views of the Suffolk countryside, before a free audio guide brings history to life while exploring the atmospheric ruins below.
Newmarket Racecourse
For a taste of Britain’s equestrian heritage, head to Newmarket Racecourse, the spiritual home of British horseracing. For more than 350 years, royalty, trainers and champion jockeys have gathered here, and tradition hangs in the air. Visit on a race day for the full spectacle or explore the National Horseracing Museum to see how horsepower and heritage shape everyday life in this racing town.
getting around
Getting around: A car is the easiest way to get between Suffolk’s villages, vineyards and manor houses, with distances from 30 to 45 minutes between stops. Trains connect London with Bury St Edmunds (via Ipswich) and Newmarket (via Cambridge). First Bus, BorderBus and local operators serve towns such as Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury, and Mildenhall. Rural routes vary in frequency and are often reduced on evenings and weekends.
More information for the travel trade:
Visit Suffolk:https://www.visitsuffolk.com/
Stop 3: The Broads – Norfolk and Suffolk
Waveney River Tours, Norfolk-Suffolk Border
Climb aboard Waveney River Tours for a relaxed journey through the Broads along the Suffolk–Norfolk border. Clients can choose from three guided options: a 40-minute circular cruise around Oulton Broad, a 90-minute voyage through the Waveney Marshes, or a two-hour Victorian Heritage Cruise to Somerleyton. Each reveals historic bridges, riverside villages and a range of wildlife, with plenty of insider knowledge and stories throughout. Private charters are also available for a more exclusive, tailor-made experience.
Boating on the Broads, Norfolk
For an immersive experience, boating on the Norfolk Broads lets clients captain their own vessel or relax as a passenger while navigating the region’s rivers and open lakes. Hire everything from traditional ‘wherries’ (historic Norfolk cargo and passenger boats) operated by Wherry Yacht Charter, to sleek motorboats operated by Horning Pleasurecraft, with easy access points in towns like Wroxham and Horning.
Horsey, Norfolk
Discover the windswept beaches and wild seal colonies around Horsey, a small Norfolk coastal village. The Horsey Gap Nature Reserve is a good spot for watching grey seals lounging on the sand. Beyond wildlife, Horsey offers walking trails and the grade-II listed 18th-century Horsey Windpump, a striking landmark and visitor attraction managed by the National Trust.
Hickling Broad, Norfolk
Managed by Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Hickling Broad is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Broads and is a haven for birdwatchers. Clients can wander the boardwalks, hike along trails or watch cranes and marsh harriers swoop over the water. Wildlife boat trips, starting from the Pleasure Boat Inn in Hickling, offer an immersive way to explore this atmospheric landscape (exclusive guided trips for larger groups are available).
getting around
Getting around: The Broads are best accessed via Norwich, the nearest major hub, with journeys to villages like Wroxham and Horning taking around 20 to 30 minutes by car. Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft also serve as gateways to the eastern and southern Broads. Regular train services run from London to Norwich, taking around two hours.
More information for the travel trade:
Visit the Broads:https://www.visitthebroads.co.uk/
Stop 4: Norfolk
The Sainsbury Centre, Norwich
Set on the University of East Anglia campus in Norwich, the Sainsbury Centre is as striking outside as it is inside. This Norman Foster-designed landmark doubled as a sci-fi backdrop in Marvel films including Avengers and Spiderman, but the real spectacle is its world-class collection, from tribal art and ancient artefacts to modern masters, matched by a diverse programme of exhibitions. Outside, a sculpture park – set within 350 acres of parkland – invites leisurely strolls after exploring the centre’s treasures and includes works by Henry Moore and Antony Gormley.
Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norwich
See heritage differently at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. Rising above the city skyline, the striking Norman fortress boasts nearly 1,000 years of history. Step inside to explore medieval artefacts, Anglo-Saxon treasures, and interactive exhibits that bring the city’s past to life. Restored with accessibility in mind, clients can explore the keep from basement to battlements, including panoramic tower views and immersive galleries, showcasing internationally important collections, including fine and contemporary art, as well as a curated programme of special exhibitions.
Jarrolds, Norwich
More than a department store, Jarrolds is a Norwich institution brimming with character and creativity. Family-owned since 1823, the flagship store in the city sells everything from fashion, books and homeware to artisan products from local makers. In addition, three restaurants, two wine bars, a coffee bar and a seafood bar add to the shopping experience.
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
For a lively contrast to the city-bustle of Norwich or the calm of the Broads, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach offers thrills and traditional seaside fun (a 45-minute drive from Norwich). Dating back to 1909, the park boasts rollercoasters, water rides and family-friendly attractions. Free to enter with individual ride tickets, the Pleasure Beach operates seasonally from spring through autumn, with extended opening hours during summer holidays and bank holiday weekends.
BeWILDerwood, near Wroxham
Dive into an enchanting woodland adventure at BeWILDerwood, a treetop playground of rope bridges, slides, zip wires and dens, based on a series of magical children’s books, written by Tom Blofeld. Built with families in mind, the adventure park, just a 30-minute drive from Norwich, turns the forest into a living storybook, with seasonal events adding extra magic.
Sandringham Estate
Go behind the scenes of royal life at Sandringham Estate, the private country retreat of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Clients can explore eight elegant Edwardian rooms filled with personal Royal Family memorabilia, from Meissen porcelain and Minton china to striking trompe-l’oeil ceiling work. Beyond the house, 60 acres of manicured gardens and expansive parkland trails invite relaxed exploration. Seasonal events, country fairs and cafés bring the estate to life throughout the year. The house is open from late March to early October, with timed entry via pre-booked tickets, and is conveniently en route from Norfolk to Lincolnshire.
getting around
Getting around: Norwich is a main hub for exploring Norfolk, with major train links from London and easy car access to surrounding locations. Many stops, from BeWILDerwood to Holkham Hall and Sandringham Estate, are reachable within 30 to 90 minutes by car. Norfolk’s bus network, run by Konectbus and First Bus, provide services around Norwich and links to nearby towns (frequencies vary by location and time of day/week). Seasonal services like Coasthopper run along the Norfolk Coast in summer, connecting popular locations such as Wells-next-the-sea, Sheringham and Cromer. From Norwich, the drive to Lincoln takes around two hours 30 minutes.
More information for the travel trade:
Visit Norfolk:https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/tourism-industry
Stop 5: Lincolnshire
Belton Estate, Grantham
A one-hour-drive from Lincoln, Belton Estate is a 17th-century National Trust showstopper with a honey-coloured stone façade and immaculate lawns, which doubled as Greenwich Palace in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Inside, grand rooms house an impressive art collection spanning English portraiture and exquisite oriental ceramics. Outside, pleasure gardens and a deer park are open year-round, with the conservatory home to a wealth of exotic plants. Seasonal events range from family-friendly trails to flower festivals and atmospheric sunset walks.
Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne
Grimsthorpe may sound dark and brooding, but step inside and it’s pure Bridgerton magic. Set in 3,000 acres of parkland, this Lincolnshire estate, located a one-hour-drive south of Lincoln, dates to the reign of Henry VIII, yet its Georgian grandeur lends itself to Bridgerton’s high society scenes. From tapestry-clad halls to a Chinese drawing room packed with rococo, gothic and Chinese motifs, the castle is a time capsule of aristocratic life. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, the mind behind Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, your clients can tour the lavish interiors and manicured gardens of this family home, with seasonal events adding to the Regency drama. The castle, park and gardens open from late April through late September, allowing clients to experience the estate in full bloom during the warmer months.
Burghley House, Stamford
Step back into Elizabethan times at Burghley House, one of the largest and grandest surviving houses of the 16th-century, built to honour Queen Elizabeth I. The 35-acre estate, with its grand halls and ornate ceilings, has starred in Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein and The Da Vinci Code. Inside, an exceptional collection of Italian Old Master paintings – featuring works by Veronese, Luca Giordano and Artemisia Gentileschi – adorns the state rooms, while the house’s ceramics collection showcases Japanese porcelain and European treasures.Outside, avenues of ancient trees and sculpture trails leading to secret gardens add to the cinematic appeal. Seasonal exhibitions showcasing the house’s eclectic art collation add an extra reason to visit. After exploring the house and grounds, afternoon tea is available at the cafe, with hearty locally sourced dishes served in the elegant Orangery Restaurant. The house and garden are closed over the winter and re-open in spring (check website for dates).
Lincoln Castle, Lincoln
Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Lincoln Castle is an ancient fortification packed with nearly 1,000 years of history. Walk the medieval walls, climb the towers for sweeping city views, and visit the Victorian prison or original Magna Carta vault (please note: the 1215 Magna Carta is not currently on display, check the website for details). Clients can immerse themselves in the story of King John, the barons and the birth of the Great Charter in the vault’s underground widescreen cinema with 210-degree wraparound screen and 3D sound. The castle hosts seasonal events and interactive exhibitions for those who want to dive deeper into Lincolnshire’s storied past.
Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln
Rising above the city, Lincoln Cathedral is not only a Gothic landmark, but also the fourth largest cathedral in the UK, its floor area spanning roughly 11,000 square metres. Fans of The Da Vinci Code might recognise its soaring arches and stained-glass windows from the film-adaptation of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel. Climb the towers for panoramic views of Lincolnshire’s countryside or wander the atmospheric cloisters steeped in history. For those seeking a comprehensive experience, the bookable Lincoln Cathedral Tour combines both elements, taking visitors through the nave, quire and Chapter House before ascending to the roof level.
New Theatre Royal Lincoln, Lincoln
The New Theatre Royal Lincoln is an independent, family-run theatre bringing new productions to the heart of the city. A vibrant programme showcases drama, comedy, musicals and live music, from classic plays to West End productions straight from the London stage. Clients can go behind the scenes of this historic venue – which has entertained crowds since 1893 – on a Backstage Tour led by the Stage Manager. Explore the hidden corners of its Victorian, Grade II-listed architecture, step on stage for a moment in the spotlight in the intimate auditorium, and peek into the dressing rooms where stars from near and far have applied their make-up.
Healing Manor Hotel, near Grimsby
Steeped in history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, Healing Manor Hotel offers plenty of character with all the modern amenities of a boutique retreat. Once a grand manor house, it now offers 37 stylish guest rooms surrounded by colourful gardens. Its two-AA-Rosette gastro pub, The Pig & Whistle, celebrates Lincolnshire’s farming heritage with seasonal dishes sourced from nearby suppliers. A lively calendar of events – from murder mystery suppers to farmers’ markets and wreath-making workshops – adds a fun and contemporary twist to this historic country retreat.
Doddington Hall, Lincoln
At first glance, Doddington Hall is a classic Elizabethan manor; look closer and it reveals a destination full of surprises. This family-owned 16th-century hall, just outside Lincoln, invites clients to delve into richly furnished interiors and centuries of heritage, before stepping outside to discover gardens, lakes and parkland. Beyond history, the estate has evolved into a vibrant shopping and dining destination, with independent boutiques – from Country Clothing to a Giant bike shop – joined by local food producers, cafés and restaurants. Seasonal events and wildlife safaris help give this historic house a thoroughly modern twist.
getting around
Getting around: The nearest airports are London Stanstead Airport and London Luton Airport. By train, it takes around three hours from central London to Lincoln (via Peterborough), the region’s main transport hub. Local buses are operated by companies including as Stagecoach and PC Coaches.
More information for the travel trade:
Visit Lincolnshire:https://business.visitlincolnshire.com/
